Moondrop May VS Moondrop Lan 2 REF

Super* Review original ranking

The Moondrop May offers a convenient USB-C DSP cable with multiple EQ presets accessible via the Moondrop Link app, though the app suffers from connectivity issues and requires invasive permissions like location and file access. Its lightweight resin build provides solid comfort for extended wear, but the included ear tips are notoriously difficult to install on the nozzles. The DSP cable itself can exhibit a faint electronic whine during audio pauses, which disrupts calls or quiet passages.

Sonically, the May delivers a balanced signature with smooth, natural midrange, though male vocals occasionally lack resolution and texture. The 6mm planar driver handles treble with refinement, avoiding harshness, but struggles with airiness and micro-detail retrieval compared to competitors like the Truthear Hexa. Bass texture and layering also fall short despite the hybrid 1DD + 1 planar configuration, leading to a somewhat one-dimensional low end in complex tracks.

Technical performance is adequate for the price, with a moderately intimate soundstage and competent imaging, though instrument separation and dynamics can feel congested in busy mixes. The May scales better with analog cables than its own DSP solution, revealing improved clarity and midrange texture when bypassing the stock setup. While the DSP concept is innovative, execution issues limit its appeal, making the May a competent but inconsistent package at $65.

Moondrop Lan 2 REF is the reference-tuned variant of the Lan 2 line, priced around $59.99 and built with a stainless-steel shell housing a 10 mm dual-cavity dynamic driver. Retailer specs list 30 Ω impedance, 118 dB/Vrms sensitivity, and an effective response of 20 Hz–20 kHz, indicating easy drivability from portable sources without unusual amplification needs.

Compared to the POP version, the REF aims for a neutral-bright balance with leaner mid-bass, a more forward upper-midrange, and cleaner treble focus; this aligns with product descriptions distinguishing REF as the subtly brighter, spatially oriented option and POP as the bass/mids-emphasized one. Community and reviewer impressions describe REF as clearer and more open but less warm, making it better for detail-oriented listening than for bass-heavy genres.

Technical performance is solid for the price: imaging is orderly with a moderate stage, detail retrieval benefits from the elevated upper-mids/treble, and dynamics are competent though not class-leading for single-DD sets at this tier. The stainless-steel build and spec sheet (30 Ω, 118 dB/Vrms) suggest broad source compatibility, while the REF tuning favors clarity over weight, so listeners sensitive to mid-bass emphasis may find it a good fit. Overall value is strong if a clean, reference-leaning tonality is the goal at ~<$60.